The student government was founded in 1968 as the York Student Council. Around 1975, the student government had become the Council of York Student Federations. By the early 1990s the name changed to York Federation of Students by their president at the time, popular Canadian CBC Radio host, Jian Ghomeshi.
About
The YFS is a democratically organized, dues paying student union representing over 53,000 full and part-time undergrad students at the York University. The purpose of the YFS is to bring together the elected representatives of all the college governments on campus. The YFS also has appointed members of campus organizations into a single body. The YFS provides services such as a health plan, the discounted TTC metropass, and the Student Advocacy Services. Unlike other Student Governments, it does not own or operate any campus pub, however, it does have a controlling stake on the Board of Directors for the Student Centre. All Campus Organizations and Clubs are recognized under the YFS, and together with the different club offices, occupy of the majority of the Student Centre.
Administration
The student government is administered by five full-time undergraduate executives, along with several full and part-time staff members. Other part-time staff are mostly made up of undergrad students. On multiple levels, the YFS is controlled by student volunteers and paid employees. The Day-to-day operations are overseen by the elected Executive, who also run the various campaigns and provide advocacy for all undergrads and are assisted by the full-time long-term staff. The elected and appointed Board of Directors holds open meetings almost every other week each school year. The general membership meets to ratify the decisions of the Board of Directors as well as provide ground level participation to the operation of the YFS. For a list of employees, check the .
Elections
Elections are held every February to select the next years Executive and Board. Along with this, all the part-time positions are re-staffed annually. Volunteers also assist the YFS with campaigns and referendums on issues like the rising cost of tuition, the environment and globalization.
Board of Directors (Councillors)
YFS Board of Directors meet regularly. All the Board meetings are open to the public, and are traditionally begun with a motion to extend speaking rights to all present, so that visitors may contribute to the process. Only members of the Board of Directors hold voting rights. All votes for the YFS Board of Directors are held by the Executive, and 17 college and faculty seats. Information and Members of the .
Services
The YFS offers a wide selection of services and advocacy programming.
All undergraduate students at York University participate in a health plan. 65.5% of voting Glendon College students voted to join the health plan during their 2006 Spring Elections. Glendon College was a previous non-participant in the plan. Students with alternative extended health coverage are permitted to opt out of the plan.
Clubs
There are over 250 accredited clubs by the YFS. The wide variety of clubs range from cultural, religious, political, and social. For a list of clubs, check the .
